Do you want to chat with a missionary?

Hi I'm Mitch

I teach high school and college level American Sign Language and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

Copy and Share

Being a father of four and having two jobs (teaching ASL at a local community college and full-time at a local high school) leaves little time for hobbies. But I do love origami, family history research, collecting Thomas the Tank Engine trains, gardening, and, of course spending time with my family. We love gardening together, traveling together, and just having movie/pizza nights together! I lived in NYC for two years as a missionary working with the Deaf there and became proficient in American Sign Language. I then came home and became an interpreter for the Deaf in Washington State. I continued to interpret in Utah as I went to college and I am so grateful that serving the Lord for two years has blessed me with a career that I love for the rest of my life.

Why I am a Mormon

Copy and Share

Conversion is an ongoing process. I am now 40 years old and I certainly have a stronger testimony than I did just 10 years ago, or even 5 years ago. Growing up in the church, I often took it all for granted. I didn't pay much attention to the gospel until I went on a 2-year mission. That really was the 'beginning' of my personal conversion. I was no longer relying on the testimonies of my family or friends--it was coming from ME. It HAD TO come from me! Since then, it has been slow but steady as I gained testimonies of various Gospel principles. I have learned that the more effort I put into learning and understanding a principle, the faster and stronger the testimony came of that principle. Lately I have been studying the Old Testament (specifically the book of Genesis). As I studied it in comparison to the book of Moses, I was had such a strong witness of how perfect our Heavenly Father loves us and His plan for us reflects that love. We are immortal beings on a very temporal planet. I know WHO I am, WHY I am here, and what I can become after this life. I am a Mormon because God's Plan of Salvation resonates with every part of me --deeply and profoundly! This plan is general for all mankind, but He also has another plan tailored just for me--to help me with my own weaknesses and trails so that I can eventually become perfected and become like Him. I have studied MANY, MANY other religions and all that searching has brought me back to where I began--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

How I live my faith

Copy and Share

I am currently a counselor in a 'bishopric' for a ward (congregation). That is like an 'assistant pastor' for a whole congregation. I have MANY duties and responsibilities like working with youth, scouting programs, and general membership counseling. So, my Sundays are BUSY! (lots of meetings).
Daily, I strive to 'practice what I preach'. I love serving others--members of the church and the general community! I just get frustrated when I don't have enough time in my life to help everyone I want to help. I am not a perfect person, none of us are--but it is what I strive for. I love talking about the gospel with others, but find it difficult to do so as a school teacher ('Separation of Church and State'). My students ask me how I learned ASL (American Sign Language) and I love the opportunity to share about my mission (where I learned it) and how that act of service has blessed me throughout my life. If students are curious about learning more about what I believe, I encourage them to talk to other kids in our class who are LDS (Mormons).
I am VERY open about what I believe. I don't try to hide it--it's not something I am ashamed of. Most Mormons feel the same way, so don't be shy about striking up a conversation or asking questions that you have always wanted to know regarding 'Mormons'.
I can tell you one thing; living my life as an active 'Mormon' has brought me more joy and contentment than I ever thought I could have.

The death of a loved one is a sad and hard time in anyones life, but knowing what happens after we die can help heal that sadness we are going through. Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ we will be able to live again in a perfect body with all of our loved ones.